Kenya’s Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat believes they don’t have any guarantee to make it to the 2026 World Cup finals to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico after learning of the draw conducted on Thursday in Ivory Coast.

Speaking on Kenya’s chances to qualify for their first-ever World Cup tournament in history, the 53-year-old Turkish tactician said unless Football Kenya Federation (FKF) office led by President Nick Mwendwa devotes seriousness to the team’s preparations by laying down a proper organisation plan, then Kenya will stand no chance to qualify.

“I have seen the draw, it is an open group which if we plan well then we can create something out of it but our chances are very little,” Firat said, adding: “The focus should be on our organization, are we prepared to plan properly and get the best out of the players? Are we ready to sort out our financial problems?

“These are small details that must be addressed going into the qualifiers otherwise Kenya are not favourites, but what we will strive to do (during the qualifiers) is make history by reaching the finals for the first time. 

“We will make sure we try our best, but I don’t want to guarantee anything for now, let us wait and see how we start preparations for the qualifiers and thereafter, I can predict what is in store for us.”

Meanwhile, former Gor Mahia CEO Omondi Aduda echoed Firat’s statement by saying Kenya’s chances of qualifying from the group will depend on how the team will prepare for the qualifiers.

“It is a tough group if you ask me and I see Ivory Coast as the favourites for the direct ticket, so it means as Kenya we are already chasing from behind,” Aduda told People Sport, adding: “Without proper preparations then we should count ourselves failures even before we play because this is not time for jokes, FKF and the government must come together to make sure the team gets adequate training for the qualifiers.”

The first match of the two-legged qualifiers will be played between November 13 and 21 with the winners of each group directly qualifying for the tournament.